Why Obama's funding of gun research matters

Why Obama's funding of gun research matters

Among President Barack Obama's lengthy list of proposals to address gun violence, his call for new funding on gun violence may sound unimportant. But it's actually part of a long-running fight over gun research. Here's what you need to know.

Congress cut CDC funding on gun research in 1996

In 1996, Congress cut $2.6 million from the budget of the Centers for Disease Control, the amount it was spending studying gun violence through its National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. It also added language to an appropriations bill barring the CDC from spending money on research that would "advocate or promote gun control."

Congress blocked the ATF from sharing gun data in 2003

In 2003, Congress blocked the bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives from sharing data about guns used in crimes with the public through the Tiahrt Amendment, named for then Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Kan. The amendment makes it difficult for researchers or journalists to learn about the black market for guns.

Congress blocked doctors from asking patients about guns in 2010

In 2010, Congress restricted doctors from gathering data about their patients' use of guns in a little-noticed provision in the massive health care law signed by Obama. Some public health advocates say the measure will make it harder to do research on links between guns and health.

Congress blocked the NIH from gun research in 2011

In 2011, Congress expanded the restrictions on gun research to cover agencies of the Department of Health and Human Services, including the National Institutes of Health. That move came after a 2009 study by the NIH found that a person carrying a gun was nearly 4.5 times more likely to be shot in an assault than an unarmed person.

Gun rights groups oppose the research, scientists support it

In 2011, the National Rifle Association, the nation's largest grassroots gun rights group, argued that the research was improper. "These junk science studies and others like them are designed to provide ammunition for the gun control lobby by advancing the false notion that legal gun ownership is a danger to the public health instead of an inalienable right," it said.

Recently, more than 100 scientists from U.S. universities signed a letter to Vice President Joe Biden asking that his task force on gun violence recommend that the government again fund public health research on gun safety. "Our current approach of 'muddling through' has led to little long-term progress in addressing this problem," they wrote.

Obama has ordered more gun research

At his news conference Wednesday, Obama argued that the restrictions on research that might "advocate or promote gun control" do not bar it from studying gun violence. He has directed the CDC and other agencies to begin new research. And he's asked the Department of Health and Human Services to issue regulations clarifying that doctors can talk to their patients about gun safety.

"While year after year those who oppose even modest gun safety measures have threatened to de-fund scientific or medical research into the causes of gun violence, I will direct the Centers for Disease Control to go ahead and study the best ways to reduce it," he said.

He's also called for more research funding

Aside from ordering new research from existing budgets, Obama is calling on Congress to add $10 million for new research, including investigations on "the relationship between video games, media images, and violence."